Conclusion: Spain are good. They top the group after winning all three of their games and will play Italy in the semi-final. You fear there's going to be a repeat of the Euro 2012 final, although Nigeria did create a fair few chances today. The difference was the finishing though. Spain were so clinical - though they did miss a few - and no one was more composed in front of goal than Jordi Alba. He's some player. Nigeria go out in third place because Uruguay have beaten Tahiti 8-0, which makes it a great evening to be Gus Poyet.

Updated at 9.53pm BST

9.50pm BST

Full-time: Nigeria 0-3 Spain

That's your lot!

9.48pm BST

90 min+1: Alba finds Villa in space in the area. He tries to guide one into the bottom-left corner but telegraphs his intentions and Enyeama saves.

9.48pm BST

GOAL! Nigeria 0-3 Spain (Alba, 88 min)

Jordi Alba isn't really a full-back, is he? From deep inside Spain's pass, Villa pops a ball over the top of the rather tired Nigeria defence for Alba to chase. He gets there, of course, because he would win a race with a cheetah, Road Runner and Usain Bolt, rounds Enyeama and rolls it into the empty net.

9.44pm BST

86 min: Villa accepts a reverse-pass from Silva but falls as he shoots from just inside the area, causing the ball to fly miles over. "People sound really surprised at Mikel playing a bit but when there was a row between Chelsea and Man Utd for his signature a few years ago, it wasn't to get a holding midfielder," says Samuel Aiyelaagbe. "He was simply glorious at the World Youth Championships in 2005 in Holland in the number 10 position."

9.41pm BST

84 min: Luis Suarez has made it Uruguay 7-0 Tahiti.

9.40pm BST

83 min: Musa dashes in from the left and rasps one miles wide from the edge of the area. Do they not have barn doors in Nigeria?

Updated at 9.40pm BST

9.39pm BST

82 min: Mikel embarks on another powerful run and then has a shot. Seriously. Do not adjust your screen. The shot, hit from 25 yards out, goes a few yards wide but that's not the point.

9.38pm BST

80 min: I think Nigeria have played pretty well. If only their forwards hadn't performed with all the composure of a drunk on stilts in front of goal.

9.36pm BST

78 min: "Let`s try to imagine that the Spanish substitutes are allowed to participate in a championship along with Spain's starting eleven," says Cesar de Francisco Aygues. "Both teams obviously reach the final.Who would keep the ball?.It could be tiki-takanaccio brainstorm!" The team with Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets.

Updated at 9.36pm BST

9.34pm BST

76 min: Iniesta diddles his way past Mikel and slips it to Silva on the right. He tries to bend one with his left foot but it's blocked. The ball falls to Torres in the area but Nigeria's defenders manage to keep him at bay too.

9.33pm BST

75 min: Pedro off. David Villa on.

9.33pm BST

74 min: What a miss from Gambo! Musa suddenly bursts into life, charging inside from the right and leaving a couple of Spanish defenders for dead. Gambo is totally unmarked to his left and Musa finds him. The pass was slightly behind him but there was no excuse for what followed. His first touch was poor and his second was worse, as he sliced the ball horribly wide of the far post with his right foot.

9.29pm BST

72 min: Mikel has just gone on a 20-yard run, ambling past a few Spanish midfielders and winning a free-kick. I genuinely did not know he could run. Is this the player he's actually supposed to be?

9.28pm BST

71 min: Pedro finds himself in the clear on the left of the area. He fakes to shoot with his left, shoots with his right and his shot is blocked. Nigeria take the opportunity to replace Akpala with Mohammed Gambo.

9.25pm BST

68 min: It's 6-0 to Uruguay in the other game #prayfortahiti.

9.24pm BST

66 min:Torres is through again and looks set for a second goal but takes a crucial second too long, allowing Oboabona to get back and toe it over the bar. "The cross came from Pedro, not Alba, though Alba released Pedro," says Anna Pons. Dang. Rectified. Just keeping you on your toes.

9.23pm BST

65 min: Oh Iniesta, you are my little gentleman. He's on the ball, around 35 yards out. Nigeria think they're safe. They're not. He pushes it over the top to Silva, who times his run perfectly and goofs his volley majestically. He should have scored.

9.21pm BST

64 min: Ogu is on for Mba.

9.21pm BST

GOAL! Nigeria 0-2 Spain (Torres, 62 min)

There were signs that Nigeria were beginning to tire. Spain were having it all their own way and their pressing was decreasing at an alarming rate. Or maybe they were just hypnotised by the rhythmic passing. They simply stood and watched as Spain sliced them open on the left. Alba released Pedro, who curled a first-time cross into the six-yard box from the left and there was Torres to score with a diving header. Nicely done.

Updated at 9.25pm BST

9.17pm BST

60 min: Fresh from destroying Tahiti, Fernando Torres is on for Roberto Soldado.

9.16pm BST

59 min: Silva darts in from the right and spots Pedro darting in from the right. He rolls the ball through but Pedro's touch runs away from him and Enyeama gathers.

9.15pm BST

58 min: Xavi shoots from 25 yards out. It bounces up in front of Enyeama but he holds it easily.

54 min: David Silva replaces Cesc Fabregas, who's tweaked something or other. "In answer to Philip Wainwright's 46th minute question, Alvaro Recoba, surely?" says Rob Marriott. "And a lovely player he was too. Actually, a quick wikipedia check states that he's still playing. Well done him." Always good to get a mention of Recoba but I doubt he's the reason why.

Updated at 9.14pm BST

9.10pm BST

53 min: Iniesta is bumped over on the edge of the area. It's just outside the D. Xavi curls it over the top of the wall but can't get it down in time, the ball skimming the roof of the net.

9.10pm BST

51 min: It just won't fall for Nigeria in the Spain area. The excellent Ambrose beats a couple on the right and sends Musa haring away down the right, with Alba nowhere to be seen. He whips it towards the near post. Akpala and Valdes both go for it, both miss it and Ideye can't contort his body enough at the far post to turn it in.

9.07pm BST

50 min: There's not been much octane at the start of this second half. A real lack of octane. It's slow.

9.05pm BST

47 min: "Everyone is talking about Spain winning next years world cup," says Mukunthan Murthi. "I definitely think the Germans will be the team to beat in Brazil. They have a better squad than Spain and a better eye for goals." This German side still has a bit to prove. They froze against Italy in the final last year - though I accept they are more experienced and have benefited from some new players coming into the squad.

9.03pm BST

46 min: Here we go again. "Imagine how good Spain would be if they had a decent finisher on the pitch," says Phillip Wainwright. "Fabregas still looks a bit lost in such exalted company. Soldado should be finishing those chances. Iniesta makes me want to cry, such is the beauty of his football. PS how good is this half time??? What a story! PPS re Poyet, he only got 26 caps for Uruguay, according to the beeb. Who on earth was keeping him out of the team?"

9.02pm BST

In the other game, it's Uruguay 4-0 Tahiti. See, Gus, it's not all bad!

8.58pm BST

Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius)

BBC football pundit sacked live on air. Sadly not one of the six you were hoping it would be.

Back to the studio, where smoke is billowing out of Gus Poyet's ears. The look on his face here. He's stunned and has to sit there and take his medicine as Mark 'Chapman' Chappers reads out the piping hot Brighton statement that has been released about Poyet's sacking as their manager. "I think BBC have got a great story, the manager getting information he's been released. It's quite surprising. I've still had no communication, no text, so it's all up to you and the timing. I'm probably the first to be in this situation." He's not happy. He might nut someone. Chappers better watch his step.

8.49pm BST

Half-time: Nigeria 0-1 Spain

Spain lead thanks to Jordi Alba's goal but Nigeria can consider themselves slightly unfortunate to be behind.

8.48pm BST

45 min+2: Xavi and Fabregas conspire to make some mischief as the seconds tick away. Xavi's touch sets Fabregas running towards the exposed Nigeria defence but his shot is blocked. Busquets is then brought down by Mikel on the right. Xavi curls the ball into the area and Ramos's firm header is straight at Enyeama. Either side of him and it was in.

8.45pm BST

45 min: Two minutes of the added stuff.

8.43pm BST

43 min: The Super Eagles have been super - until they have to insert the ball into the big rectangular thing.

8.42pm BST

41 min: Nigeria respond immediately. Ambrose clips a low first-time cross towards the near post from the right and Ideye gets in front of Pique but totally mishits his shot, allowing Spain to clear with more than a hint of desperation.

8.41pm BST

39 min: How on earth has this one stayed out? Soldado slides a sumptuous cross into the infernal corridor of uncertainty, which finds Enyeama and the Nigeria defence in a most uncertain state of mind. It runs perfectly into the path of Fabregas but he somehow clunks it against the inside of the post from six yards out! The ball crashes out - and into the arms of the prone Enyeama.

8.38pm BST

38 min: Passy pass pass. We're enjoying a lull.

8.35pm BST

35 min: Musa gets in behind on the left again but his dangerous low ball across is read well by Alba.

8.34pm BST

34 min: "Disappointed to see Navas on the bench again," says Ruairi J Topping. "Was sure he would start after being on the bench for the Tahiti game. City have signed some player. Also, it's a little bizarre how poor Spain's defending is from corners. Even Tahiti gave them a couple of scares. It's almost as if they feel it shouldn't be part of the game and as such, stop playing till the ball's back on the deck."

8.32pm BST

32 min: Who is this man and what has he done with John Obi Mikel? He's just done a flick! "Perhaps after trying his luck with the Seagulls, Gus Poyet is scouting out a managerial position with Nigeria's Super Eagles?" says Justin Kavanagh. "Either way, he's going to get dumped on from above."

8.31pm BST

31 min: Strikers? Pah. Soldado misses another after being played through by Fabregas on the right. He opts for power over placement and places it powerfully at Enyeama, who pushes it out and is grateful to see it put behind for a corner. Meanwhile Uruguay are winning 3-0, so that's that then.

8.30pm BST

29 min: How many do Nigeria want? They turn very Arsenal when they get into the area. They always want one more touch. This time it's Ideye's turn to dither when the situation called for some forcefulness and his cross-shot was cleared in the end.

26 min: You know, Spain haven't done a lot for a while. So they decide they'd better rectify that. From just inside his own half, Ramos pings a ball over the top of Nigeria's defence, which was caught squarer than Screech Powers, for Soldado. He plucked the ball out of the sky but placed his shot too close to Enyeama. He parried and it was hacked behind for a corner, which disappeared into nothingness, as we all will eventually.

8.25pm BST

25 min: Pique is back after hurting his back, baby.

8.24pm BST

22 min: A free-kick to Nigeria after Soldado climbs all over Mikel on the left. Mikel dusts himself down and curls a cross towards the far post. Valdes punches it away but Mba heads it back into the area, so Valdes beats Akpala to the ball, punching it away again and proving how he'd deal with a wet and windy Tuesday night in Stoke. He even cleaned out Pique in the process. He's feeling a bit tender. Spain are down to 10 men for the time being but he shall return.

8.21pm BST

20 min: Ask and you shall receive. Ideye storms down the left, cuts inside and rolls a ball across the edge of the area to Mba. His first touch sits up nicely for him to strike it on the volley and when he does, it forces Valdes into a fine low save down to his left. Corner to Nigeria. Spain get it clear but not too convincingly.

8.19pm BST

19 min: We haven't had a chance for five minutes. Unacceptable!

8.18pm BST

17 min: "You sound a bit giddy, Jacob," says Bish Gmail. I assume that's not his surname, though I'd love to meet a Gary Outlook Express. "Glad you refused the jelly babies. Is it weird that I love to watch La Liga, adore Barca and (grudgingly) respect Real, but simply dislike Spain? Something about the whole being more irritating than the sum of its parts." Spain are fun when they're like this. They were not a bundle of laughs at the Euros.

8.16pm BST

16 min: News reaches us that Gus Poyet has been sacked by Brighton. This is only significant because Poyet is sitting on the BBC sofa this evening. He'll be squirming on the BBC sofa next time we see him.

8.16pm BST

14 min: Another sighter for Nigeria. This is fine end-to-end stuff. Xavi lost the ball - I know! Amazing! - and Akpala shoots straight at Valdes on the edge of the area.

8.14pm BST

12 min: From the corner, Spain break at speed, Pedro leading a two-on-one raid. He tries to beat Oboabona on the outside and then, as he enters the area, he checks back inside, looking to get it on to his right foot. Oboabona muscles him out of it though and the appeals for a penalty are waved away. Meanwhile Egwueke is on for Omeruo.

8.13pm BST

11 min: Thing is, Nigeria are a menace when they do manage to test the Spain defence, which doesn't actually fill you with too much confidence. John Obi Mikel, who is a transformed character in a Nigeria shirt, stabs a wonderful Scholesian pass over the top of the Spain defence. The ball eventually falls to Akpala whose fierce volley is blocked. It falls to Mikel, who should shoot with Valdes stranded. Instead he decides to take a touch and when he does shoot from eight yards out, his effort is deflected over.

Updated at 8.13pm BST

8.11pm BST

10 min: Omeruo has gone off on a stretcher and Nigeria have to defend the corner with 10 men, which is just what they want. Xavi and Fabregas try the old Beckham-Scholes routine but Fabregas's volley dribbles wide.

8.10pm BST

9 min: I'm already feeling sorry for Nigeria here. They haven't got a clue how to stop this passing carousel - they can't find the switch to turn it off. There has to be a plug somewhere. Iniesta and Soldado combine to play Fabregas in but Enyeama and Omeruo do well to smother the chance, at the expense of a corner. Omeruo has injured himself in the process though. He'll not continue. He's knacked his leg.

8.08pm BST

8 min: This is all well and good but when are Spain going to hit the big man?

8.07pm BST

7 min: This could get embarrassing. The speed of the Spanish passing is too much. When they're like this, they're too much. Xavi spots Alba setting off on another run in behind and pierces the Nigeria defence but the pass is too heavy and Enyeama is quickly out of his area to boot it clear.

8.06pm BST

5 min: Spain have the ball. I sense a pattern developing.

8.06pm BST

GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 Spain (Alba, 3 min)

Well, in this heat, it could be a long old evening for Nigeria. They had started brightly enough but Spain had already carved them open once. The second time, there was no reprieve. Spain tiki-taka'd in that Spain way, Alba, Busquets, Fabregas and Xavi one-touching their way through the Nigeria midfield. They were chasing shadows. Fabregas laid it into the path of Alba, who managed to bustle his way past a couple of weak challenges on the edge of the area and stroke a left-footed shot low past Enyeama and into the bottom-right corner.

8.04pm BST

3 min: Nigeria take the corner shot and Musa rams a shot wide from the left. This isn't a bad start from Nigeria. Although saying that...

8.03pm BST

2 min: Iniesta is the most beautiful player of all time. As he set off on this move, I inadvertently let out a squeal of "AHAHAHA INIESTA!: in appreciation. He played a tidy one-two with Fabregas on the left, eased his way into the area, made a fool of out of the defender with a lovely piece of skill, nutmegging him in the process. He opens up his body for the shot, trying to bend it into the far corner, but Enyeama saves, And starts a Nigeria counter. They work it up the left and Ideye cuts inside and sees a shot deflected not too far wide.

8.01pm BST

The niceties done - Xavi wishes Victor Enyeama good luck, which actually sounds ominous - and we're off! Nigeria, kicking from right to left, get the game underway and they keep the ball, they keep the ball, they keep the ball... for less than 10 seconds. Spain have the ball and they don't plan on giving it back for a while.

7.58pm BST

The anthems. Nigeria's is a jaunty number but I miss most of it because Ian McCourt and Marcus Christenson are trying to give me some jelly babies. I do not want the jelly babies. I refuse the jelly babies. I spit on their feet at the mere mention of the jelly babies. Sorry, got a bit carried away there. The Nigerian anthem done, it's time for Spain's. As ever, not a single player sings along, which is an utter disgrace. They'll never win anything carrying on like that.

7.51pm BST

Efan Ekoko is turning out to be quite the pundit, mainly because he TELLS IT LIKE IT IS. He's just been explaining that people in Nigeria do not understand the meaning of the underdog. The first few times he mentioned it people said "what sort of dog is that?"

Preamble

Hello. Good news, everyone. It would appear that Spain, having egregiously jumped the shark with that False Nine rubbish at Euro 2012 last year, have seen sense and remembered that scoring goals and creating chances can be just as fun as tiki-takanaccio. Strikers are all the rage again and Spain have been magnificent in this Confederations Cup, thrashing Uruguay 2-1 and, er, Tahiti 10-0. It would take a brave man to say they won't be winning the World Cup in Brazil next year, because they will be winning the World Cup in Brazil next year if we're being totally honest with ourselves here.

They'll probably be winning their first ever Confederations Cup too, although there is the faintest chance that they could be knocked out tonight. All that needs to occur for that to happen is for Tahiti to obliterate Uruguay and for Spain to lose to Nigeria. So, yeah, it's probably not going to happen, even if stranger things have happened in this tournament, such as John Obi Mikel apparently scoring a goal. and Nigeria, level on points with Uruguay, will probably be on their way home by the end of the evening. Unless there is a repeat of their game against Spain in the 1998 World Cup, when they won 3-2. Is that going to happen? It's not going to happen.